What Karnataka plans to do to check internet addiction among children, see key features of draft policy
On Tuesday, the Karnataka government released a draft policy regarding the digital usage of students in grades 9 through 12. The policy recommends that, apart from academic purposes, daily screen time for entertainment be capped at one hour. It also recommends that internet access be switched off after 7:00 PM.
Teachers will identify signs of digital addiction
Counseling services within schools will be strengthened. Teachers will receive training to help them identify signs of digital addiction and, when necessary, refer students to specialists.
Teachers will monitor students' digital behavior and provide guidance. Parents will regulate screen time at home, establish "no-phone zones," and lead by example.
Schools will establish rules regarding the use of AI, regulate its application in homework assignments, and develop systems to prevent academic dishonesty.
Child Plan for mobile devices
The draft states that students should be kept away from screens for one hour prior to bedtime. A ‘Child Plan’ has been proposed for mobile devices, which would feature an ‘audio-only’ option and a mechanism to disable internet access after a designated time. The policy also advocates for the development of devices and operating systems tailored to specific age groups.
Every school will implement a digital usage policy
Digital well-being and online safety will become an integral part of the curriculum. Topics such as cyberbullying, privacy, and responsible online behavior will be taught. Every school will implement a digital usage policy. There will be designated "Digital Detox Days" and "Tech-Free Periods." For communication with students, traditional diaries will be adopted as an alternative to WhatsApp.
According to the government, approximately 25% of adolescents suffer from internet addiction, leading to issues such as sleep deprivation, anxiety, and a lack of concentration. This policy has been introduced in light of these concerns.